Machine for perforating paper sheets and the like

ABSTRACT

A machine for perforating sheets and particularly stacks of sheets at the same time drilling holes therein from opposite sides and which machine can drill round holes in said sheets alone or as station one of a machine which includes a second station to square said round holes and means for moving the sheets from station one to station two and present the holes in the proper position at station two to have said holes squared.

United States Patent Liouville et al. 1 Aug. 15, 1972 [5 MACHINE FOR PERFORATING PAPER [56] References Cited SH T 72 1 EE S 1 E s; h 2 UNITED STATES PATENTS to I 1 rs gfz g' g me 1,710,744 4/1929 Roe ..408/52 x [22] Filed: 1970 Primary Examiner-Francis S. Husar 21 APPL 1 0 Att0rney-Linton& Linton 57 ABSTRACT Foreign Apphcatlon Pnomy Data A machine for perforating sheets and particularly June 25, 1970 France ..7023497 stacks of sheets at the same time drilling holes therein Dec. 24, 1969 France ..6944853 from opposite sides and which machine an drill round holes in said sheets alone or as station one of a 52 US. (:1 ..408/42, 408/51 machine which includes a Second station to square 51 1m.c1. ..B23b 39/22 Said round holes. and means for moving the sheets 5 Field of Search 40 /42 4 51 52 53 y from station one IO station IWO and presentthe holes in the proper position at station two to have said holes squared.

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1 -HIIIIIllllllHlHlllllHl ROGER L/OUV/LlE ATTORNEYS PATENTED M19 15 W2 SHEET 5 [IF 5 INVENTOR ROGER LIOUVILLE 1 MACHINE FOR PERFORATING PAPER SHEETS AND THE LIKE The present invention relates to a machine for perforating sheets of paper or the like to permit assembling the sheets by means of the usual metal or plastic binders.

At present, known machines use the punching principle, and hence cannot perforate, in a single operation, a large number of aligned holes in a sheet thickness of more than 3 millimeters, by reason of the very strong forces which have had to be applied.

The machine according to the present invention, which remedies these drawbacks, is characterized in that the perforation of the paper is produced with the aid of drills disposed on either side of a work table supporting the sheets to be perforated, and in such a way that the axes of one line of drills are inserted between those of the other line.

In this way it is possible, in a single operation, to embody a series of aligned, round holes in a stack of sheets of paper several centimeters thick. It is also possible to make holes where axes are very close to one another. Finally, it can, by eliminating certain drills, obtain any desired spacing between the holes.

For certain types of binders, it is necessary to embody rectangular perforations. To do this, and according to another characteristic of the invention, the machine comprises three devices, one of which permits forming round holes, the other of which insures the transfer of the stack of perforated sheets with a view to positioning them under a third device constituted by a press which has cutting punches that transform the round holes into rectangular holes.

Other characteristics will appear more clearly in the following description given with reference to the drawings appended by way of an indicative example only, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of the device permitting the forming of round holes,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a top view of FIG. 2 partially cut away,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view in elevation of a drill used to perforate the paper,

FIG. 5 is an end view from the right of FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is a partial view on a larger scale, showing the manner of compressing the stack of sheets of paper during the drilling,

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a machine for perforating rectangular holes,

FIG. 8 is a top view ofFIG. 7,

FIGS. 9 and 10 are enlarged perspective view of two variations of the punches, and

FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating the ratios of the sections of the drills and the punches.

Referring to the drawings, and according to one method of embodiment, the machine for perforating cylindrical holes has a frame 1 with U-shaped section, FIG. 3, provided with a table 2 which has four columns 3 integral therewith, extending on either side of said table.

On the columns 3 are guided a jaw 4, designed to press the sheets of paper F on the table 2, and two mobile plates 5 and 6 supporting special drills 7.

A calibrated spring 8, mounted on each of the columns 3, is interposed between the corresponding drill holder plate and the heads 3' of said columns.

r insures the displacement toward the'sheets F, of two lines of drills 7 with the axes of those borne by plate 5 being situated between the axes of those on plate 6.

This arrangement offers two advantages:

l. The advance of the drills is a function of the resistance opposed by the paper.

2. The spacing between the axes of the holes to be made can be very close. The drive of the jaw 4 and plate 5 is insured by two rods 9 passing through them and each being provided with two stops 10 and 11. V

Stop 10 is situated under plate 5,v while stop 11 is situated in a housing 12, integral with jaw 4. Springs 13 are interposed between said stop 11 and the bottom of said housing.

When rods 9 are displaced according to arrow F l, the stops ll compress springs 13 and apply jaw 4 against the sheets of paper F, interposed between said jaw and the table 2. This action is direct because the springs 13 are intended solely to permit pressing a more or less thick stack of sheets of paper. Simultaneously, stops 10 release springs 8 which expand, and repel drill holder plate 5.

Drive of the lower plate 6 is insured in the same way by two rods 14 each of which is provided with a stop 15 extending above plate 6.

The simultaneous drive of rods 9 and 14 is insured,

for example, by a lever 16, FIG. 2, whose axis of articulation has, integral at each end thereof, a disc 17 toward the' perimeter of which are articulated two levers l8 and 19.

Each of the two levers 18 is articulated at its other end on an eccentric journal 20 on which is articulated.

one end of a connecting rod 21, articulated by its other end to the corresponding rod 9. Each of the two levers 19 is connected in the same manner to its rod 14 by means of a journal 22 and a connecting rod 23.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the moveable elements are represented in a position corresponding to the end of the perforation. By pivoting lever 16 in the direction of arrow F FIG. 2, levers 18 and 19 pivot journals 20 and 22 in the direction of arrows'F moving the connecting rods 21 and 23 which determine the displacement of jaw 4.

Lever 16 can be maneuvered manually or automatically if the machine is inserted in a larger, automatically operated unit.

The drive of drills 7 is insured by an electric motor 24 which has a drive pinion 25 of considerable length. Pinion 25 engages, for each of the plates 5 and 6, with pinions 26 and 27 entraining with pinions 28, 29 and 30. Each of pinions 28, 29 and 30 engages with a pinion 31 keyed on the mandrel supporting a drill 7, which engages in turn with pinions 32 of the adjacent drills.

Pinions 26 to 32 are disposed between two plates 33 and 34, fixed on a platen 35, FIG. 3, the whole constituting either plate 5 or 6.

A handwheel 36 fixed to the end of the motor shaft 24, restores, at the moment of drilling, the stored As shown in FIG. 6, the drilling barrels 37, integral with jaw 4, extend beyond the lower face of said jaw and press against sheets F with a view to avoiding the application of excessive forces to insure the compression during the drilling of the said sheets which, in addition, press with their edge against a stop 38 on table 2,

- FIG. 2.

The drills that are used have, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an extremely pointed end and have a substantial taper to the rear of lips 39 in order to avoid overheating by frictions and to reduce the resistant couple.

There is nowrdescribed a machine that is further improved, which, with the aid of the principle of the machine described above, permits making rectangular holes and more particularly square holes in a stack of sheets of paper.

The machine represented in FIG. 7 has three combined devices, namely; a device for perforating round holes, a device for transforming these holes into square holes, anda device for making the transfer of the perforated sheets from one station to the other.

The first device comprises, essentially, a work table 40 on which the sheets F are compressed by means of a jaw 41 subjected to the action of springs 42. The displacement of the jaw 41 is subordinated to that of the upper drill holder plate 43.

The entrainment of the drills in plates 43 and 44 is embodied by means of two electric motors 45, each fixed to the corresponding plate. Naturally, this en trainment can be embodied by means of a single, fixed motor as described above.

The second device comprises a table 46 situated in the plane of table and a mobile jaw 47 designed to press the sheets against said table 46. Above jaw 47 is disposed a head 48 supporting punches 49 with square section and the distance separating the punches is equal to one-half of that separating the drills on one of the drill holder plates 43 44.

A motor 50, actuating earns 51 and 52, insures the displacement of punches 49 and jaw 47.

The descent of said punches can be produced in a continuous or vibratory manner.

The third device is designed to achieve the transfer of the sheets from one station to the other, while carefully centering the axes of the round holes made at the first station, to those of the punches at the second station.

To do this, FIG. 8, there is a transfer table 53 situated in the plane of table 40 and 46 and provided with a flange S3 situated in the extension of the stop on table 40. This stop is represented in FIG. 2 and bears reference 38.

Table 53 has two longitudinal slots 54 from which project pairs of pushers 55 which can retract into the grooves by pivoting in one direction only and be rectified by means of a counterweight.

Pushers 55 are integral with a rod 56 which can be displaced axially in an alternating movement, whose variable amplitude is substantially equal to the distance separating the two stations.

The displacement of the rod 56 can be by means of an electric motor 57 provided with a crank 58, whose free end is articulated on a slider 59 which can be displaced in a slot 60 in a lever 61, one end of which is articulated to the frame of the machine, while the other end is articulated to said rod 56 by means of a springloaded telescopic cross-brace 62.

When pushers 55 are displaced in the directions of arrow F they entrain the sheets F, because they cannot pivot in the opposite direction. Contrariwise, in the opposite direction they retract to pass under the stacks of sheets of paper, but are rectified immediately due to their counterweight.

In order to obtain a good adjustment of the positioning of the stacks F at the working stations, we must be able to displace the points of fixation of the said pushers on rod 56.

With this in mind, the rod has, for example, slots 63 which allow varying the distance separating the axes of articulation of said pushers.

The telescopic crossbrace 62 permits absorbing the differences in stroke between rod 56 and lever 61.

The two piercing devices and the transfer device are synchronized in such a way as to perforate a stack of sheets with each turn of the crank 58.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate two variations of the punches each of which has eight cutting edges 64 acting in the manner of a paper cutter. FIG. 10 is a variation in which the cutting edges 64 are combined in pairs by a curvilinear surface 65; but an analogous result can be obtained with plane surfaces.

In this way the paper is not pushed in, but cut, making it possible to embody square holes in large thicknesses of paper. As shown in FIG. 11, the diameter of the drills is substantially equal to the section of the punches. In practice, to facilitate cutting, it is possible to have the perforation of round holes whose diameter will be larger by a few tenths of millimeters than that of the punches.

There is no limitation to the form of the punches, the latter perhaps having, in their center, an organ for centering and/or for extraction of the paper. Such a centering organ can also be provided on the table.

I claim:

1. Machine for perforating sheets to provide a series of aligned holes, with a view to perforating large thicknesses of paper, comprising a table on which the sheets to be perforated are pressed, and a pair of movable plates positioned on each side of said table, a line of parallel drills supported by said plates, the axes of one of the said lines of drills being between those of the other line, and means being provided to entrain all the drills in rotation and to drive the simultaneous translation of said drill holder plates.

2. Perforating machine, according to claim 1, including columns integral with said table and extending above said table, a jaw for pressing the sheets of paper on the said table and guided by said columns, one of the drill holder plates disposed above the said jaw and guided by said columns, and said columns extending below said table for guiding the second drill holder plate, calibrated springs mounted on each of the said columns and being interposed between the corresponding drill holder plate and a shoulder on the end of the said column.

3. Perforating machine, according to claim 2, characterized in that the drive of said jaw and of said upper plate is insured by at least one sliding rod passing through said jaw and plate and having two stops, one of which is disposed under the upper plate, a housing integral with the said jaw and having the second stop therein, a spring interposed between said second stop and the lower bottom of said housing, said second stop positioned to press against said spring and under the upper top of said housing, the drive of said lower plate being insured in the same manner by, at least, one sliding rod passing through said plate and having a stop extending above the latter, means being provided to insure, simultaneously, the axial translation of said rods, either to separate them with a view to compressing the springs mounted on the guidance columns, or to bring guided on the columns extending above said table, an

them together to release said springs for drilling the sheets.

4. Perforating machine according to claim 3, characterized in that a connecting rod has the ends of each of said drive rods of the jaw and of the drill holder plates articulated thereon, has said rods articulated therein, a frame has said journal pivotally and eccentrically mounted thereon, a lever is articulated to said journal, a disc is pivotally connected to said lever, a shaft integral with said disc, and means for rotating said disc.

5. Perforating machine according to claim 1 including drilling barrels in said jaw whose ends extend beyond the lower face of said jaw.

6. Machine according to claim 1 wherein the identical toothed pinions engaging with one another and connected to said drills, intermediate pinions meshing with some of said toothed pinions, controlling said intermediate pinions, a drive pinion and an electric motor keyed to said drive pinion.

7. Machine according to claim 6, characterized in that said drive pinion is of considerable length and insures, simultaneously, the entrainment of said two lines of drills by means of a single electric motor.

8. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said drills having a very pointed end and a substantial taper to the rear of the lips to avoid their heating in the paper, and to diminish the resistant couple.

9. Machine for perforating a stack of sheets of paper in order to embody a succession of aligned holes therein comprising, in combination, a frame, a table for supporting the sheets to be perforated and provided on said frame, two mobile plates, respectively upper and lower, each disposed on either side of said table, a line of drills with parallel axes on each of the said plates, the drills on one of said plates being insertable between those of the other plate,- and means being provided to entrain all the drills in rotation and to drive the simultaneous translation of the plates toward one another.

10. Machine for perforating a stack of sheets of paper in order to embody a succession of aligned holes comprising, in combination, a frame, a table for supporting sheets to be perforated provided on said frame, columns extending above and below said table, a jaw upper plate disposed above said jaw and guided on said columns extending above said table, a lower plate guided on said columns extending below said table, a line of parallel drills on each of said plates, the drills of one of said plates being-insertable between the drills of the other of said plates, a spring on each of said columns, each of said springs being interposed between the corresponding plates and the head of said column, a housing integral with said jaw, at least one rod passing fr el rou h said 'a dt e lat sit ated b ve said ab l e, tvo stops on sa iii rod, oiie of saiel stops eing situated under said upper plate, while the other stop is disposed in said housing, and can press under the top of said housing, a spring interposed between said stop and the bottom of said housing and engageable by said other stop, at least one rod passing freely through said lower plate, a stop at the upper end of said rod, said stop extending above the lower plate, and driving means being provided to entrain all the drills in rotation and to insure the simultaneous displacement of said rods.

11. Machine for perforating a stack of sheets of said disc.

12. Machine for perforating a stack of sheets of paper, according to claim 10, including drilling barrels in said jaw through which said drills in the upper plate has passed and the lower ends of said barrels extend beyond the lower face of said jaw.

13. Machine for perforating a stock of sheets of paper, according to claim 10, identical toothed pinions engaging with one another provided on the drills of each of said plates, intermediate pinions engaging some of said identical pinions, a driven pinion operatively engaging said intermediate pinions.

14. Machine for perforating a stack of sheets of paper, according to claim 10, identical toothed pinions engaging with one another andprovided on the drills of both said plates, intermediate pinions engaging some of 

1. Machine for perforating sheets to provide a series of aligned holes, with a view to perforating large thicknesses of paper, comprising a table on which the sheets to be perforated are pressed, and a pair of movable plates positioned on each side of said table, a line of parallel drills supported by said plates, the axes of one of the said lines of drills being between those of the other line, and means being provided to entrain all the drills in rotation and to drive the simultaneous translation of said drill holder plates.
 2. Perforating machine, according to claim 1, including columns integral with said table and extending above said table, a jaw for pressing the sheets of paper on the said table and guided by said columns, one of the drill holder plates disposed above the said jaw and guided by said columns, and said columns extending below said table for guiding the second drill holder plate, calibrated springs mounted on each of the said columns and being interposed between the corresponding drill holder plate and a shoulder on the end of the said column.
 3. Perforating machine, according to claim 2, characterized in that the drive of said jaw and of said upper plate is insured by at least one sliding rod passing through said jaw and plate and having two stops, one of which is disposed under the upper plate, a housing integral with the said jaw and having the second stop therein, a spring interposed between said second stop and the lower bottom of said housing, said second stop positioned to press against said spring and under the upper top of said housing, the drive of said lower plate being insured in the same manner by, at least, one sliding rod passing through said plate and having a stop extending above the latter, means being provided to insure, simultaneously, the axial translation of said rods, either to separate them with a view to compressing the springs mounted on the guidance columns, or to bring them together to release said springs for drilling the sheets.
 4. Perforating machine according to claim 3, characterized in that a connecting rod has the ends of each of said drive rods of the jaw and of the drill holder plates articulated thereon, has said rods articulated therein, a frame has said journal pivotally and eccentrically mounted thereon, a lever is articulated to said journal, a disc is pivotally connected to said lever, a shaft integral with said disc, and means for rotating said disc.
 5. Perforating machine according to claim 1 including drilling barrels in said jaw whose ends extend beyond the lower face of said jaw.
 6. Machine according to claim 1 wherein the identical toothed pinions engaging with one another and connected to said drills, intermediate pinions meshing with some of said toothed pinions, controlling said intermediate pinions, a drive pinion and an electric motor keyed to said drive pinion.
 7. Machine according to claim 6, characterized in that said drive pinion is of considerable length and insures, simultaneously, the entrainment of said two lines of drills by means of a single electric motor.
 8. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said drills having a very pointed end and a substantial taper to the rear of the lips to avoid their heating in the paper, and to diminish the resistant couple.
 9. Machine for perforating a stack of sheets of paper in order to embody a succession of aligned holes therein comprising, in combination, a frame, a table for supporting the sheets to be perforated and provided on said frame, two mobile plates, respectively upper and lower, each disposed on either side of saId table, a line of drills with parallel axes on each of the said plates, the drills on one of said plates being insertable between those of the other plate, and means being provided to entrain all the drills in rotation and to drive the simultaneous translation of the plates toward one another.
 10. Machine for perforating a stack of sheets of paper in order to embody a succession of aligned holes comprising, in combination, a frame, a table for supporting sheets to be perforated provided on said frame, columns extending above and below said table, a jaw guided on the columns extending above said table, an upper plate disposed above said jaw and guided on said columns extending above said table, a lower plate guided on said columns extending below said table, a line of parallel drills on each of said plates, the drills of one of said plates being insertable between the drills of the other of said plates, a spring on each of said columns, each of said springs being interposed between the corresponding plates and the head of said column, a housing integral with said jaw, at least one rod passing freely through said jaw and the plate situated above said table, two stops on said rod, one of said stops being situated under said upper plate, while the other stop is disposed in said housing, and can press under the top of said housing, a spring interposed between said stop and the bottom of said housing and engageable by said other stop, at least one rod passing freely through said lower plate, a stop at the upper end of said rod, said stop extending above the lower plate, and driving means being provided to entrain all the drills in rotation and to insure the simultaneous displacement of said rods.
 11. Machine for perforating a stack of sheets of paper, according to claim 10, in which a pair of connecting rods each has the end, opposite the stops, of each of said rods controlling said jaw and said plates articulated thereon, a pair of journals each eccentric with respect to said frame and on which is articulated one of said connecting rods, a pair of levers each articulated to one of said journals in an eccentric fashion, a disc pivotally connected to said levers, and means to rotate said disc.
 12. Machine for perforating a stack of sheets of paper, according to claim 10, including drilling barrels in said jaw through which said drills in the upper plate has passed and the lower ends of said barrels extend beyond the lower face of said jaw.
 13. Machine for perforating a stock of sheets of paper, according to claim 10, identical toothed pinions engaging with one another provided on the drills of each of said plates, intermediate pinions engaging some of said identical pinions, a driven pinion operatively engaging said intermediate pinions.
 14. Machine for perforating a stack of sheets of paper, according to claim 10, identical toothed pinions engaging with one another and provided on the drills of both said plates, intermediate pinions engaging some of said identical pinions, a control pinion of considerable length engaging said intermediate pinions and a single electric motor connected to said control pinion.
 15. Machine for perforating a stack of sheets of paper, according to claim 10, in which the drills have a very pointed end and a substantial taper to the rear of the lips. 